We Just Returned - Some Opinions

[AngiTN]

My daughter got was there from June 16-20. She said crowds were light! She sent numerous pictures from Epcot and AK with no one else in the background.

The crowds were light. We were there from 16th to 21st too.

As for prices, clearly those who think they are high haven't gone to any professional or college ball games. They are well higher than Disney prices. We think Disney prices are a bargain when we compare them.

I'm struggling on how removing smoking sections is discrimination. Smoking is a voluntary habit. No one is owed a place to do it

 

[JPDtheJD]

My daughter got was there from June 16-20. She said crowds were light! She sent numerous pictures from Epcot and AK with no one else in the background.

Those were our dates! I agree that I thought the crowds were light then as well.

 

[sturner324]

We were there June 4-10, and the crowds that week were actually less than I expected... but maybe it all comes down to expectations. I thought it would be miserably crowded with huge lines. Turns out we easily avoided long lines with FP and even made lots of additional FPs on the app most evenings. The app worked perfectly for me, so I hate to hear others have had trouble with it.

Only one evening at MK did the crowds seem absolutely terrifying. So maybe it also depends on the park you're at on a particular day... and you just have to get lucky. This is why I like park hoppers.

 

[Jennasis]

The crowds were light. We were there from 16th to 21st too.

As for prices, clearly those who think they are high haven't gone to any professional or college ball games. They are well higher than Disney prices. We think Disney prices are a bargain when we compare them.

I'm struggling on how removing smoking sections is discrimination. Smoking is a voluntary habit. No one is owed a place to do it

To be fair, a pro sports event is a one day or one evening event. Sure they're pricey...even pricier than some aspects of Disney but most go to Disney for multiple days. If people went to a Knicks game every day for a week it might be a fair comparison.

 

[Planogirl]

I wish that you hadn't mentioned #7. Expect the anti-smoking zealots to go on about smoking.

Otherwise I agree with you except our nothing to do parks are Epcot and DHS. I guess it's just a matter of taste in some cases.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I do go to sporting events and Disney is still expensive. As for smoking I think the fact that they have reduced The number of areas actually increases the risk you will be exposed. People will smoke whenever they want if there's not a convenient place. I don't smoke but I've seen this happen more and more. Bt outlawing it we just met people who do ignore the rules. A cast member Will do something it pushed but they don't want to
For me the wasted time Park is studios. Meet and greets don't do that much for me and I don't really like construction walls.


Of course I only go to MK if forced so.

 

[caroline1851]

Yes, agree the prices of EVERYTHING is crazy. But I don't expect that to change at all considering they are super busy all the time. There are obviously tons and tons of people willing to pay it all the time. yes, I also agree the pool at All Star Sports is anything but relaxing. My son and I spent a total of a 1/2 hour in the pool there because it was awful. Kids throwing balls everywhere, the CM's running "fun" games on the pool deck with microphones. ugh.

 

[Delirium]

I wish that you hadn't mentioned #7. Expect the anti-smoking zealots to go on about smoking.

Otherwise I agree with you except our nothing to do parks are Epcot and DHS. I guess it's just a matter of taste in some cases.

Both sides have a right to express their opinion. And, in this argument, the anti-smoking 'zealots' have scientific data to support their side of the argument.

 

[kandb]

A private company cutting down on their smoking areas is hardly what I would refer to as discrimination, but to each their own I guess.

I do agree, Disney could make the whole park non-smoking, however I have to agree with the OP, 2 smoking areas in MK seems a bit ridiculous. I doubt they need that large of a smoking area. Why just 2 areas in such a large place like the MK? Maybe they are trying to ban it altogether.

 

[AngiTN]

To be fair, a pro sports event is a one day or one evening event. Sure they're pricey...even pricier than some aspects of Disney but most go to Disney for multiple days. If people went to a Knicks game every day for a week it might be a fair comparison.

Well, as season ticket holders we do attend games weekly, basketball is more than 1 a week. So for us, it's a fair comparison. Heck, our season tickets are equal to the cost of our AP too.

Disney is even better than a sporting event in that you can bring your food in if you opt to. You aren't limited to what is offered at their venue.

 

[djc9699]

3) LOVED, LOVED, LOVED the new Launch Bay! We saw Chewbacca and Kylo Ren both with minimum wait times. The Storm Troopers were inside walking around and that was cool! The Ewoks were about too and my granddaughter got her pic taken with one of them.

This was our absolute favorite thing this trip. A Jawa stole my son's hat and ran around staying away from him until he found someone else's keys. Another one ratted my son out to the troopers and they interrogated him. We got great pictures there. I wish Disney could do more areas similar to this.

We were there June 3-14 and we found some days great for crowds and a few absolutely crazy crowds, but we had hoppers so we just went to a different park when we met crowds. We did decide we are going to try December next year so we can escape the heat. We wanted to do that last year but had to skip last year because life happens and I couldn't last until this December.

 

[drysdaleo]

I'm trying to figure out how any comparison would work. An hourly rate? We pay a lot to go to the Rays games every few weeks. Seats are $50 a piece, $20 to park, $40 in food. The Bucs are more: $125 a seat, $20 to park, $40 for food. That's 3 hours of entertainment, and with the way the Rays are playing that's a stretch. I think if you add up the cost of the entire Disney trip and divide by number of hours it's a much better deal, especially with multiday passes and value resort prices. I really don't understand how it can be compared to anything though. Comparing theme parks, Universal is just as high in cost.

In regards to the pools, it's kids on vacation. Any main pool, especially between the hours of 2pm and 4pm, wouldn't be a place to relax. That would be more like OKW quiet pool at 9pm.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I do wish they would lower their food prices... a burger and fries should not cost more than $7 unless it is at Le cellier

And yet a combo meal at McDonalds cost more than that.

 

[FoxC63]

I do wish they would lower their food prices... a burger and fries should not cost more than $7 unless it is at Le cellier

Really? Red Robin's burgers are $8.99 with fries https://www.restaurantmealprices.com/red-robin-prices/

 

[FoxC63]

I'm sorry you had a bad trip. With you being a smoker and the fact these areas are almost non existent I can see how the stress can build, when adding Florida's heat mixed with kids enjoying their own vacation something had to give, and that was your patience. You sound very bitter and I doubt highly that word describes your true nature. I think you were very upset about the lack of smoking areas, this alone set off a wave of emotions, I get it. I'm not a smoker but my sister is. Smoking is not permitted in our house, car or near me, my husband or our son even when she comes to visit.
But I see her frustration, I hear the tone of her voice change and I recognize when she needs her own break. I get she enjoys smoking and you do too, but as we move forward, a smoke-free environment is inevitable. I hope you can take solace in knowing a complete stranger feels for you and understands this challenge you and so many others face but it's not discrimination, it's life.

 

[lpereira]

Sounds stressful. Not invalidating your opinion but offering some ways around it.
Values- I would literally rather not go than stay at a value. I did it once for 2 nights and 3 days. I couldnt hack it. You might like SSR. It is my goto resort. Very peaceful and not overloaded with kids if you stay out the main feature pool. I also would be stressed out staying offsite.
2. With 3 adults on the dining plan Im almost positive you spent more than just paying out of pocket.
3. Nicotine patch. It is your friend. Just be sure to not smoke with it on.
4. The day of the week matters almost as much as the time of year you go. In your case that week there was an MK day that fell between an am emh and a pm emh day. Thats the day I would have gone.
5. Funny about park preferences. We always do 2 AK days and feel like we missed stuff. HS, however, was a half day at best park for us before the started closing things. We may just skip it completely for the next few years. Or do the evening at HS on a rest day.
6. Season tickets to the theater cost more than Disney tickets. A trip to WDW costs much as spending a week in Myrtle Beach in the summer. There are ways to trim your expenses. And ways to save money at home. It is all about priorities. By 5 my daughter could calculate how many overpriced cokes were in a souvenir and would get right testy if someone ordered a coke.
Take a break, relax, and try again some other time.

 

[mousefan73]

As a mom with 2 kids who love to cannonball into the pool the I have ALWAYS told them or YELLED at them and made them APOLOGIZE if while cannonballing, they ignored the obvious adult person NOT into cannonballing, who my kids decides to cannoball in right next to.

For me it's teaching my kids common sense... yes at the pool no adult should not expect never to get splashed on or wet. But if a child decides within ARM reach to jump next to an adult they don't know, then the parents IMO failed to do something.

It's so simple just move over a bit so said adult is not a direct hit.

 

[nilla]

I've been here since last Monday, and the crowds don't seem that bad. Keep in mind that it's June.

 

[Amanda999]

Here now and since Thursday June 16. I'm surprised how light the crowds are. (ETA: well, surprised at how light the crowds are for late June and the crowd calendar predictions at easywdw and touring plans. Not saying headline rides are walk on!)

But maybe I either lucked out or I'm better than I thought at following easywdw's calendar, rope dropping, only staying until about noon (then later after pool break at resort, go back to Epcot or HS for 4th FP and something without a line like movie or Nemo and aquarium).

We eat breakfast and either lunch or dinner in the room, from "suitcase food" (peanut butter sandwiches, cereal, power bars). I prefer regular food most of the day (ok, and I'm frugal!).

 

[jenf22]

5) I was at the pool on 3 different days. I got so irritated at the unruly children that cannon-balled in right next to me, kicked their way past me as I just relaxed along the edge, threw toys at me, etc., etc., Parents - please teach your children pool etiquette!!!! If there is an adult relaxing in the pool, make sure your children give them just a little bit of space without soaking the adult every time they jumped in. This happened every day and ruined my times at the pool.

We were there over my son's fall break last year and we had the same problem with the pools. The pools weren't even crowded when we went (in the evening - I think it was even dark!). Kids throwing balls over our heads while my son and I worked on his swimming. I was having him practice (with the lifeguard watching me the whole time) and these kids didn't care. When they started trying to splash each other and we were between them was when I said something. Do people not watch their kids at all in the pool???

The crowds were insane when we were there and it'll be a while before we return too. We went once in January and LOVED it. It was so quiet - unlike anything I've seen. Too bad the kiddo isn't on a track schedule anymore though. Of course, I say I won't be returning soon and here I am on the disboards... what is wrong with me???